HELP University and Malaysian Bengalee Association stage the country’s largest celebration of Rabindranath Tagore

Gifts being presented to the guests of honour, Executive Vice President (Operations),Henry Lim and Chancellor of HELP University, Paul Leong.

By Dinesh George Lourdes

Kuala Lumpur, 10 Aug 2016 – The Malaysian Bengalee Association paid tribute to Rabindranath Tagore in conjunction with the Nobel Laureate’s 155th Birth Anniversary. The two-day celebration was held in collaboration with HELP University on Saturday and Sunday, 20 and 21 Aug 2016. Among the highlights of the cultural extravaganza was an exhibition and forum that centered on the theme: “Tagore: The Universal Man”.

The two-day event started on Saturday, 20th Aug 2016 with a cultural showcase, which was spoken in three languages, namely Bengali, English and Bahasa Melayu. Among the performances that took place was a dance drama entitled “Chittranggoda”, “Geetanjolir Golpo” performed by guest artists from India and “Krishnokoli”. Following this performance, were other performances such as the rendering of poems, children’s dances, ballet performances, musical performances and the presentation of songs that showcased how Tagore modernised Bengali art by spurning rigid classical forms and resisting linguistic strictures in his novels, stories, songs, dance-dramas, and essays that spoke of diverse topics of political turmoil and personal and spiritual growth.

To mark this occasion, Datuk Dr. Paul Chan , President and Vice-Chancellor of HELP University launched the Rabindranath Tagore Scholarship Award in HELP University to honour the values and principles that Tagore stood for.

When asked to comment on the two-day tribute, Dr. Paul Chan said, “The organizers must also be congratulated for creating an excellent programme of events that reflects the many facets of Tagore’s genius”.

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Dance drama, Chittranggoda being presented to audience members.

Choral speaking in English with dance accompaniment, Krishnokoli being presented to audience members.